MEMORIAL OF ST. AGNES, VIRGIN & MARTYR - 2021

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Our Saviour Jesus Christ abolished death

and he has proclaimed life through the Good News.  2TIM 1:10

HEBREWS 7:25-7:6

My most beloved, Lord,

There is no salvation apart from You. How can there be when You, who are God became Man in order to make a perfect offering of Yourself to the Father through suffering, in order to save us. To You, seated at the Father's right hand, is given the power to save all who call on You, all who are grafted to You, all who receive Your Spirit, all who are called by Your Name for it is the only the Name that saves.

Every high priest had to first offer sacrifice for his own sins and then for the sins of the people. You, however, being sinless and perfect, appointed by God to be our High Priest, were able to make a once and for all Sacrifice of Yourself to the Father in expiation for the sins of the world. 

You are God's final and most perfect Covenant with us. To You alone is given the power to save since You paid the price of our salvation. This is why You will not refuse salvation to all who call on Your Name. 

PSALM 40:7-10,17

My Beloved, Soul of my soul,

No sacrifice, no offering, no holocaust can take away our sins and remit the punishment resulting from sin. This is why the breach between God and humans could never be repaired except by one who was like us in every way but without sin. This is why You became the holocaust and the victim, the sacrifice and the offering when You said to the Father, 'Here I am, I come to do your will.'

You are the Eternal Word of God whose delight is to do His will. It was always God's plan to woo His sinful creatures back into His loving embrace and restore all that was lost to us through the sin of disobedience. Who can withstand love such as this that gave us so glorious a Savior? All we miserable creatures can do is fall on our faces before You with grateful hearts and with a mouth filled with praise say unendingly, 'You O Lord, are great, thank You for Your saving help.' 

MARK 3:7-12 

My Soul's Beloved,

You had to withdraw to the lakeside because Your enemies were filled with envy and fury at the large crowds that followed You. The miracles You performed clearly indicated that You were from God, and they became fearful of You undermining their authority and power over the people. Still, they came from everywhere in great numbers, many were non-Jews who had heard of all You were doing. 

The crowds that thronged around You were so great there was a real danger of You being crushed by them. You touched and healed all who pressed around You, touched You, and begged to be made whole in body, soul, and spirit. But You had the disciples keep a boat ready for You in case it was necessary for You to leave quickly and safely. 

Unclean spirits fell before You for they recognized You and shouted, 'You are the Son of God!' But this is not how You desire that we come to know You, this is why You urge them to be silent. By faith, we must come to believe in You through Your witness, Your Word, Your testimony, Your life, Your Sacrifice, Your death, and Your resurrection.

All who are in the boat with You which is Your Church, are kept safe in You from the sea of evil that surrounds it.